Device for electrically connecting rails.



No. 697,817. Patanted Apr. l5, I902.

G. DEHARDE.

DEVICE FOR ELECTRIGALLY CONNECTING RAILS.

(Application filed Jan. 11, 1900. Renewed Oct. 15, 1901.)

(No Model.)

Inn/@7025? llwrrnn STATES PATENT @rrrce.

GERHARD DEHARDE, OF W'IESBADEN, GERMANY.

DEVICE FOR ELECTRl CA LLfCONNECTING RAILS.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 697,817, dated April 15, 1902. Application filed January 11, 1900. Renewed October 15, 1901. Serial No- 78,'700. (No model.)

To (LZZ whom, (It may concern:

Be it known that I, GERHARD DEHARDE, a subject of the German Emperor, residing at Vviesbaden, in the Empire of Germany, have 5 invented a new and useful Device for Electrically Connecting Rails, of which the following is a specification.

Myinvention relates to anew and improved device for electrically connecting the adja cent ends of rails of an electric railway, thereby greatly increasing their efficiency for conducting the current.

My invention is also applicable for electrically connecting the twin rails or the guardrail and main rail for conducting the current about a joint in the latter.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout, Figure 1 is a horizontal section of two rails electrically connected by my invention. Fig. 2 illustrates the conductor I employ. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-section of twin rails connected to each other and also showing the conductor. Fig. 4: shows the conductor employed for connecting the twin rails. Fig. 5 is an end view of the conductor shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a section on the line as y of Fig. l. Fig. 7 shows the conductor as illustrated in Fig. 4 wedged home. Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating the use of the conductor.

From the drawings it will be seen that when the rails to be electrically connected lie end to end I employ a wire or arm 0 of copper extending parallel to the rails and overlapping each a predetermined distance and fastened at each end by an especially-constructed conductor or binder,which latter embraces the essential feature of my invention. On the other hand, where the rails to be connected are parallelto each other the wire 0 is omitted, the binder alone making the necessary connection.

As is known, fault has been found with the present manner of connecting, inasmuch as they are liable to become loosened through the vibrations given the track by passing trains, while also the current is poorly conducted, a considerable part escaping. With the object, therefore, of eliminating these disadvantages I have perfected the following invention;

here end-to-end rails are to be connected, I employ, as stated, an arm 0, the ends of which are flattened or formed into ears 0 0 or these ears may have the wire 0 soldered thereto. Each of these ears is provided with a circular opening registering with circular holesaand 1), formed in the rails. is especially constructed for joining this conducting-arm andrails. Saidbindercomprises a hollow cylindrical body provided on the one end with an annular flange cl, (see Fig. 1, left side,) while the other end is closed and slotted. The ear and binder are assembled as shown in Fig. 1, left side, whence an iron or steel bolt E is driven in and through, breaking open the slotted end of the said binder (see Fig. 1, right side) and turning the flaps backward. The bolt is always of a slightly-greater diameter than the interior of the binder, so that when it is driven in the binder (made of copper) is expanded and wedged at every possible point against the rail and ears 0' or 0 (or, as shown, directly against the rail.)

\Vhere twin rails are connected for carrying the current, I employ three binders. (See Fig. 8.) Here the current, passing from the right to the left, leaves rail F and is conducted by binder 2 to rail G, where it travels past the joint in rail F and returns to the latter by binder 3, &c., or by omitting binder 3 the successive rails G or F may be alternately joined to their respective successive followers by the arm 0 aforesaid. In all cases, however, where parallel rails are to be connected I employ the same binder slightly modified and best shown at H in Figs. 3 to 7. Here, as illustrated, the body of the binderis lengthened to a length approximately the distance between the rails, while formed on each end is a neck h and 7t, adapted to pass through openings in the rails. One end of the binder has an annular flange, as aforesaid, while a similar flange is formed at the base of the binder by neck h. The body of the binder in this instance is provided with slits 71. and wedged home in place by bolts I and K. Bolt I being first driven in breaks open the slotted end, (see Fig. 5,) which is protruding through rail f, and expanding neck It, and driving back the flaps rivets it firmly in place. Bolt K is then driven in, and as the opening in the binder is somewhat smaller than the A binder opening in the neck h the bolt expands, the binder spreading the slots it open and driving the body into the swelled form shown in Figs. 3 and 7. By this binder it is shown that first they are absolutely wedged into place, preventing thereby anyloosening through the vibrations caused by passing trains, while the binder is wedged most compactly at all points against the rails, the flanges gripping on one side of the rail and the driven-out flaps on the other, thus affording a great contact-surface, thereby increasing the conductibility for the current.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is

1. Anew and improved electrical conductor for connecting rails, and comprising a binder formed hollow with one end normally closed and slitted, said binder being adapted to be wedged home in suitable holes formed in the said rails affording an increased surface of contact for conducting the current and insuring permanency of the said binder in position, substantially as described.

2. In a new and improved binder for electrically connecting rails for conducting a current the combination of a cylindrical hollow body adapted to pass through holes provided in said rails, an annular flange on one end of said binder-body, a slotted normally closed end in said other end and a bolt adapted to be driven into said binder expanding the same and wedging it firmly and permanently in place, substantially as described.

3. In a new and improved binder for electrically connecting rails for conducting a current, the combination of a hollow cylindrical, slotted body, a neck formed on each end thereof, a flange on one end of said binder, a connecting slitted web, ears thereon and bolts adapted to be driven into said binder and wedge the same permanently into place afiording a large contact-surface for the current, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I havehereunto set my hand in presence of two witnesses.

GERI-IARD DEHARDE.

Witnesses:

ALVIN VICTOR, JEAN GRUND. 

